Posted May 13, 2013

The chairman of the Iowa State University Animal Science department has announced plans to retire.

Maynard Hogberg will continue to serve as chair until a search is completed. A search committee to find a new department chair will be led by Steve Mickelson, chair of the Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering department.

Hogberg, who grew up near Stanton, became department chair at Iowa State in 2003 after serving as chair at Michigan State University’s Department of Animal Science for about 18 years. He joined Michigan State in 1976 serving as professor in animal science before being named chair.

He was named a fellow of the American Society of Animal Science in 2010 and served as its president in 2006. Hogberg earned all his degrees at ISU: a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education in 1966, a master’s degree in animal science in 1972 and a doctorate in animal nutrition in 1976.

Hogberg said improving the department’s relationships with stakeholders, hiring outstanding faculty and encouraging a sense of teamwork in the department were among his successes.

He plans to spend more time with his grandsons in retirement and work on projects as needed.

“There will be things that I’ll probably end up doing to help out the college and department wherever I can,” he said.